Neck injury leaves Dele braced for debut

New signing Dele Adebola could make his firstteam debut against Portsmouth tomorrow.

The former Birmingham striker completed his move after passing a medical at Selhurst Park yesterday and is in the squad for the visit of Harry Redknapp's side. Adebola played for the reserves against Bournemouth on Wednesday and may start if former Blues team-mate Andy Johnson fails a fitness test.

Johnson managed 83 minutes against Bradford on Tuesday, but is still suffering from a stiff neck after being stretchered off at Preston on the opening day. Curtis Fleming has six stitches above his eye but should be fit, while midfielder Shaun Derry will play against his former club.

Redknapp brought in 10 players during the summer, including Paul Merson, Shaka Hislop and Deon Burton, but is still looking for new recruits.

Eddie Howe is out for two months with a dislocated knee, while new signing Arjan De Zeeuw is doubtful after aggravating a sore hamstring in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

Redknapp said: "Arjan's done a hamstring and is struggling for Palace. I need to bring in another defender."

Palace's preparation for the match has been hit by the aftereffects of the Football Association and police investigations into manager Trevor Francis's alleged slap of substitute goalkeeper Alex Kolinko.

Francis was dismissed from the dug-out during his side's 1-1 draw with Bradford at Selhurst Park after he appeared to strike the Latvian keeper when he heard him laughing just after Palace had fallen behind to Andy Tod's 76th-minute goal. Kolinko has reported the incident to the police and the issue has dragged on all week.